Books

Genghis Khan: His Conquests، His Empire، His Legacy

A definitive and sweeping account of the life and times of the world's greatest conqueror--Genghis Khan--and the rise of the Mongol empire in the 13th century

Mongol leader Genghis Khan was by far the greatest conqueror the world has ever known. His empire stretched from the Pacific Ocean to central Europe، including all of China، the Middle East، and Russia. So how did an illiterate nomad rise to such colossal power and subdue most of the known world، eclipsing Alexander the Great، Julius Caesar، and Napoleon? Credited by some with paving the way for the Renaissance، condemned by others for being the most heinous murderer in history، who was Genghis Khan?

His actual name was Temujin، and the story of his success is that of the Mongol people: a loose collection of fractious tribes who tended livestock، considered bathing taboo، and possessed an unparalleled genius for horseback warfare. United under Genghis، a strategist of astonishing cunning and versatility، they could dominate any sedentary society they chose.

Combining fast-paced accounts of battles with rich cultural background and the latest scholarship، Frank McLynn brings vividly to life the strange world of the Mongols and Genghis Khan's rise from boyhood outcast to world conqueror. McLynn provides the most accurate and absorbing account yet of one of the most powerful men ever to have ever lived.

About the AuthorFrank McLynn is a highly regarded historian and the author of more than twenty critically acclaimed biographies، including Marcus Aurelius and Richard & John. A graduate of Wadham College، Oxford، and London University، where he obtained his doctorate، he lives and writes in England.

Editorial Reviews“[Khan's] was an extraordinary، epic story and Frank McLynn does it full justice in a vivid، page-turning biography.” – The Spectator (UK)

“A formidable study of the world's greatest conqueror. With this compelling history of a brilliant، complex leader and ruthless master of warfare، McLynn has done his man proud.” – Sunday Times (UK)

“A formidable study of the ruthless Mongolian nomad who carved out an empire.” – Sunday Times (UK)، “Must Reads”

“McLynn has carefully synthesized the work of hundreds of scholars to create a sensitive and immensely detailed portrait of an extraordinary leader.” – The Times (UK)

“A staggeringly ambitious biography of history's greatest conqueror…Genghis Khan is fascinating enough to appeal to any history fan.” – Shelf Awareness for Readers

“Brings us face to face with this complex man who shaped the course of history.” – Examiner.com

“This ambitious and massive effort offers some credible insights into the qualities of Genghis while providing an excellent chronicle of his military campaigns and conquests. Particularly interesting is McLynn's description of thirteenth-century Mongolia، with its incredibly complicated web of tribes، clans، and subclans…This is an informative and admirable effort that is ideal for general readers.” – Booklist

“A sanguinary and thorough account of ‘the greatest conqueror the world has ever known.' McLynn knows the terrain and the times so well that he writes about 12th- and 13th-century history and culture as if it were yesterday. Throughout this intricately detailed text، the author pauses continually to explain relevant devices، personalities، political situations، and geography—all of this gives readers a chance to truly understand…McLynn recognizes that the historical sources must be constantly questioned and analyzed، as victors tend to inflate their victories and losers، to minimize and blame…Thoroughly researched، grim، grisly، and sometimes even grudgingly admiring.” – Kirkus Reviews starred review

“[A] monumental masterpiece…Genghis Khan is no mere dry history book; the subject matter is so fascinating that despite few attempts to spice things up، one cannot help but be engrossed in the tale of one of history's greatest protagonists…McLynn's work is flawless; even if readers are not interested in a history، it would stand on its own as a masterwork novel of intrigue and conquest.” – Manhattan Book Review

“[McLynn] bring[s] the skill of a seasoned scholar to produce a readable، credible work، usefully illustrated with maps and pictures.” – New York Journal of Books

“[A] sweeping study…This is a portrait of a single man's rise to greatness and of an obscure tribe's transformation from an isolated nomadic existence to a world power…This is the portrait of a complex man driven to greatness by the strength of his abilities and an unshakable will.” – Simply Charly

“This comprehensive biography by British historian McLynn tells us all about the Mongol's brilliant strategy and the bloody battles، but you may find the anthropological details even more fascinating.” – Providence Journal، “2015's Best in Nonfiction”

“Such a man requires the most substantial possible biography، and McLynn gives him one that resoundingly demonstrates how intricately fascinating history can be…Sumptuous، erudite and stylish، careful to rely on often-contradictory primary sources when any such exist from so remote an era، McLynn's Genghis Khan is a sweeping 650-page trek through times and peoples whose very names sound like the stuff of legend…A book that…makes history come alive.” – InfoDad blog

“McLynn takes an epic story and distills it into a book that will fill readers with awe.” – South China Morning Post

“This complicated book is Frank McLynn's twenty-fourth history، and includes an extensive bibliography، and voluminous notes…If you sink your teeth into it، you won't be disappointed.” – Internet Review of Books

“This new biography covers the life of this infamous and important man who would today be seen as a genocidal maniac. Time has softened the results of his actions، but the author brings the man vividly to life.” – Military Heritage

"McLynn succeeds in lifting the veil from Khan's early life، his rise to power، and his rule. Furthermore، the author adds depth to the narrative by discussing not only his subject's military strategies and campaigns but also by delving into the structure of Mongol society، the role of women، and the reorientation of the Mongols from factional tribalism to absolute devotion to the Khan...A richly complete account." – Library Journal

"[An] account of how the founder and leader of the Mongol empire was a skilled strategist with a cowardly streak...The bloody story of how an illiterate peasant came to rule the "largest contiguous land empire" the world has known." – Sacramento Bee

"In author Frank McLynn's estimation، there is more to be gleamed from the Mongol emperor's life، and much more to be added to his incomplete record. Genghis Khan is McLynn's successful proof of concept، built on newly-translated sources to expand our understanding of the man responsible for forging one of the world's greatest empires." – Biographile

"The most readable، enjoyable، and comprehensive study of the subject since John Man's brilliant 2005 book... A first-rate biography." – The Nation (United Arab Emirates)

"This new biography covers the life of this infamous and important man who would today be seen as a genocidal maniac. Time has softened the results of his actions، but the author brings the man vividly to life." – Military Heritage

"[A] monumental masterpiece...Genghis Khan is no mere dry history book; the subject matter is so fascinating that despite few attempts to spice things up، one cannot help but be engrossed in the tale of one of history's greatest protagonists...McLynn's work is flawless; even if readers are not interested in a history، it would stand on its own as a masterwork novel of intrigue and conquest." – Manhattan Book Review